On April 10th, representatives from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, U.S. House of Representatives, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, and the Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority joined in a celebration of National Community Development Week. The event featured a tour of two Fairfax County properties, The Residences at North Hill and Mondloch Place, which have successfully utilized federal community development funding in the development of affordable housing. The event was sponsored by the National Community Development Association and the Council of State Community Development Agencies.
Event Celebrating National Community Development Week. Pictured from Left to Right: Tom Fleetwood, Director, Fairfax County Department of Housing and Community Development; Rodney Lusk, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Franconia District; Daniel Storck, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors, Mount Vernon District; Chairman Jeffrey McKay, Fairfax County Board of Supervisors; Chairman Melissa McKenna, Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority; Ruth T. Jones Nichols, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Public Engagement, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development; Congressman Don Beyer, U.S. House of Representatives, Claudia Monterrosa, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Grant Programs, U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development
Earlier, the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors proclaimed April 10 - 14 as National Community Development Week 2023. The proclamation (page 9) provides an opportunity to reflect on the value federal community development funds bring to communities throughout Fairfax County. The Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) and HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) – funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development – provide essential funding utilized to support neighborhood improvements, economic revitalization, affordable housing, community facilities and services to assist our most vulnerable neighbors.
Fairfax County receives between $7 and $9 million each year in combined CDBG and HOME funding to support a variety of community initiatives. To date, Fairfax County has received over $289 million from the CDBG program and over $67 million from the HOME program that has been used to promote affordable housing, community development, and the general socioeconomic, intellectual and physical well-being of very low- to moderate-income individuals and households.
Housing stability is a critical variable to ensuring positive outcomes for individuals, families, and communities. Being “home stable” leads to a stronger opportunity for positive outcomes in employment, education, financial growth, and connectivity to the wealth of experiences and advantages available to residents in Fairfax County. CDBG and HOME funds help to leverage the investment of millions of dollars in local and state funding, as well as private developer capital, to create housing opportunities and developmental/supportive programs for our neighbors – including seniors, individuals with disabilities, and extremely low-income households.
Good Shepherd Housing and Family Services, Inc. was recently awarded $890,776 and will acquire four condominium units in neighborhoods along the Richmond Highway corridor to serve families experiencing homelessness or are at-risk of experiencing homelessness with incomes at or below 60 percent of AMI. Good Shepherd will provide the residents with rental housing and services to support their progress toward self-sufficiency.
Operation Renewed Hope Foundation (ORHF) has been serving veterans experiencing episodes of homelessness and their families since 2011 and currently owns two CDBG-assisted homes that provide affordable housing to four families and eight individuals. ORHF was recently awarded $316,236 to acquire a single-family property for up to two veteran families or four veteran individuals who are homeless or at risk of homelessness with household incomes at or below 60 percent of AMI.
Pathway Recovery, Inc., was recently awarded $1,170,000 and will acquire six condominium units for affordable housing and supportive services to families who are homeless or precariously housed with incomes at or below 30 percent of AMI and who have special needs related to mental illness, co-occurring substance abuse disorders and intellectual disorders. Supportive services and case management will be provided by Pathway.
Wesley Housing was awarded almost $1 million of CDBG funds in the development of 40 units of affordable housing; of which 32 units at 50 percent or below of AMI and eight units at 40 percent or below of AMI. The entire Arden project utilizes multiple sources of financing including Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and Housing Blueprint funds and consists of new construction of a multi-family development with a total of 126 apartments and ground floor commercial space. Full occupancy of The Arden will be completed in Spring 2023.